THE EQUITABLE LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES
SUPPLEMENT DATED JANUARY 22, 1999
TO
EQUI-VEST(R) PROSPECTUS
DATED MAY 1, 1998
This Supplement adds information to the prospectus dated May 1, 1998
("Prospectus") with respect to EQUI-VEST Series 400 Contracts offered by
Equitable Life. Capitalized terms have the same meaning as in the Prospectus.
For applications dated and received after January 29, 1999 the following
enhancements are added for Traditional IRA and QP IRA Contracts subject to state
approval: (i) a provision under which the beneficiary may elect to become the
Successor Annuitant and Owner, and (ii) a Beneficiary Continuation Option.
THE FOLLOWING IS ADDED AT THE END OF THE DEFINITION OF "SUCCESSOR ANNUITANT AND
OWNER" ON PAGE 6 OF THE PROSPECTUS AND AFTER THE THIRD PARAGRAPH UNDER
"GUARANTEED DEATH BENEFIT" -- "WHEN THE ANNUITANT DIES" ON PAGE 53 OF THE
PROSPECTUS:
Under Traditional IRA and QP IRA Contracts, if the spouse is the sole primary
beneficiary, upon the Annuitant's death the spouse beneficiary may elect to
continue the Contract and become the Successor Annuitant and Owner.
The election no longer has to be made by the Owner/Annuitant.
THE FOLLOWING IS ADDED AFTER THE PARAGRAPH UNDER "WHEN THE CONTRACT OWNER DIES
BEFORE THE ANNUITANT (NQ CONTRACTS ONLY)" ON PAGE 53 OF THE PROSPECTUS
BENEFICIARY CONTINUATION OPTION UNDER TRADITIONAL IRA AND QP IRA CONTRACTS
Upon the death of the Annuitant, a non-spouse beneficiary may elect to keep the
Contract in the name of the deceased Annuitant, and receive distributions under
the Contract instead of the death benefit being paid in a lump sum. The Annuity
Account Value used to provide the distributions will be reset to equal the
amount of the death benefit.
The beneficiary's choices are subject to the conditions in the following
paragraphs and depend in part on whether or not the Annuitant was receiving
minimum distribution withdrawals under the Contract prior to his or her death.
See "Traditional Individual Retirement Annuities ("Traditional IRA")"--
"Required Minimum Distributions after Age 70 1/2."
1) If the Annuitant had been taking minimum distribution withdrawals under
the Contract, the distributions to the beneficiary must be made at least
as rapidly as prior to the Annuitant's death.
2) If the Annuitant had not been taking minimum distribution withdrawals
under the Contract, the beneficiary may begin taking minimum distribution
withdrawals under the Contract, but such withdrawals must be based on the
beneficiary's life expectancy. The withdrawals must begin by December 31
of the calendar year following the Annuitant's death. If there is more
than one beneficiary, the shortest life expectancy must be used.
FORM 888-1169 CAT. #127905
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The withdrawals must be taken annually. There will not be a withdrawal charge
for these withdrawals. The beneficiary along with his or her tax adviser will be
responsible for determining the amount of the withdrawals.
While the distributions are in effect, the beneficiary may transfer the
Contract's Annuity Account Value among the Investment Options. However,
subsequent contributions will not be permitted and the death benefit (including
the Guaranteed Death Benefit) provision will no longer be in effect. Although
the only withdrawals that will be permitted are the annual lump sum withdrawals,
the beneficiary may choose at any time to withdraw all of the Annuity Account
Value and no withdrawal charges will apply.
The designated beneficiary must be a natural person and of legal age at the time
of election. To elect this option the appropriate form must be completed and
sent to our Processing Office within 30 days following the date we receive proof
of the Annuitant's death. If no election is made within 30 days to: (1) receive
the death benefit, or (2) continue the Contract under the Beneficiary
Continuation Option, or (3) defer payment of the Annuity Account Value for a
period of five years (as described in "Your Beneficiary" on page 53), the death
benefit will be paid to the beneficiary according to our standard procedures.
This option may not currently be available in all states. Your Equitable
representative can provide information about state availability, or you may
contact our Processing Office.
